Carly Berg
from USA is reading Story Prompts That Work by Carly Berg is now available at AmazonJanuary 22, 2013 - 7:38am
Cool. Also, do we get to see the story when it's done? Or am I overthinking this and you just write a prompt when someone asks and that's the end of it?
Jonathan Riley
from Memphis, Tennessee is reading Flashover by Gordon Highland January 22, 2013 - 7:47am
Carly, when I wrote prompts for the thuderdome battles I couldn't wait to read the stories the writers produced. So I imagine you feel the same. I suppose you just voice your interest to the writer in seeing the finished project and noone will have a problem showing you a copy even if they choose not to workshop it.
Carly Berg
from USA is reading Story Prompts That Work by Carly Berg is now available at AmazonJanuary 22, 2013 - 7:51am
Thanks. I would love to see the stories based on my prompts.
Relapse419
from Michigan is reading HauntedJanuary 27, 2013 - 8:12pm
I need a prompt! 3,000 words, horror/psychotic/sociopathic literary fiction
Renfield
from Hell is reading 20th Century GhostsJanuary 27, 2013 - 8:34pm
Brad, if you want kinda psychotic, I used to go through these periods where every woman I'd meet I'd think they were my dead sister.
This is us, she being on the right:
Weird thing is I never had a sister.
Carly Berg
from USA is reading Story Prompts That Work by Carly Berg is now available at AmazonJanuary 28, 2013 - 5:23am
^ Now that's an excellent prompt.
Relapse419
from Michigan is reading HauntedJanuary 28, 2013 - 1:54pm
Thanks! I might just try to spin something off of that!
Renfield
from Hell is reading 20th Century GhostsJanuary 29, 2013 - 7:44pm
Don't know if this is in the spirit of the thread, but I kinda revamped a list of prompt Ideas I keep in Scrivener and thought a couple might be fun to share:
Movie Posters - Search for old posters for grindhouse type movies/foreign release posters, hopefully of movies you haven't seen, and write the stories for those movies. (here's a few I started looking through the other day)
Loglines - Go on to Netflix/DVR to any random tv show and read the episode description. Smuggle that plot through some literary filters.
Missing Gun - Read a crime story and rewrite it taking out the gun/crime/murder. Or read a literary story and put a gun in it, whatever.
Photo Album - Find really weird photos on the internet and imagine those exist in your family photo album, and your mother is telling the whole embarrassing backstory to your new girl/boyfriend, whose obviously going to leave you after hearing it.
Writer Forgery - Take some writer's character that you like and put them in the plot of a story by a different writer and write it in the style of another writer. Then say screw that and rewrite it with your character, and maybe your plot too, then definitely in your own style. (good for flash for the quick turnaround)
Jonathan Riley
from Memphis, Tennessee is reading Flashover by Gordon Highland February 6, 2013 - 9:28am
I'm trying to write my sci-fi for Teleport Us. I've had several ideas, (only one decent one) but after attempting to write them, I kept hitting a wall. I'd like a prompt. Nothing specefic with concepts, just maybe a few words or a quick phrase. Alot of times when I try to focus on general prompt I end up coming up with pretty good ideas. And some of the time those storries work better when I remove the prompt back out of it.
Carly Berg
from USA is reading Story Prompts That Work by Carly Berg is now available at AmazonFebruary 6, 2013 - 9:45am
I haven't read the whole Teleport Us deal because I'm into other things right now, so not sure if this can even fit, Jonathan. However, I am fond of people giving birth to things besides human babies.
Jonathan Riley
from Memphis, Tennessee is reading Flashover by Gordon Highland February 6, 2013 - 10:06am
The story has to feature a non-human character. I might be able to wrap my head around that. We'll see if that gets the brain juices flowing. Thanks, Carly.
Courtney
from the Midwest is reading Monkey: A Journey to the West and a thousand college textbooksFebruary 7, 2013 - 9:30am
Wow, I forgot I even had a prompt in here.
Arwen Undomiel
from Sydney, Australia
February 7, 2013 - 5:06pm
This is actually something I'm revising: Write a story based on a song.
Jimothy Scott
from Canada is reading The wise mans fearApril 1, 2013 - 11:46pm
prompt me.
1500-2500 words
Dwayne
from Cincinnati, Ohio (suburbs) is reading books that rotate to often to keep this updatedApril 2, 2013 - 1:56am
Prompt: Nightmares haunt me. Most times the dream is the same. Sometimes I'm Momma. Tonight, as most nights, I'm Junior.
***
"What will you do to save him?"
"Anything! Please just don't shoot him." She looks over at the shotgun he promised to teach me to hunt with. "Junior..." she begins turning towards me.
"Never call him that! Your bastard is not my son's name sake! I won't shoot him, but he watches."
She looks at him desperately, trying to do something. It seems important, but I don't know why. I think maybe she is trying to save herself, and me, and maybe even Opa. Opa is rough with her, hurts her. He cuts her and burns her and slaps her. It seems to go on forever. She strains at the ropes holding her on the kitchen table.
I look away; he reaches over and pulls my hair making me look at Momma, seeing all the places he has hurt her since she is naked except for her underwear.
"Look bastard. Look and see what a whore your Momma is."
"Please let him go, you said you would."
"I never said that," as he reaches for the lamp oil off the top shelf. "I said I won't shoot him, and I won't."
Momma starts to scream Opa hits her and reaches between her legs. His hand comes back with Momma's underwear, which he shoves into her mouth.
"Son for a son. Scale worshipers believe in balance, right?"
Momma is sobbing through her dirty underwear. I think she's wet herself too.
Opa covers me with oil. Slowly, making sure he gets every spot. I'm afraid; I pee myself a lot now more. He looks me dead in the eyes. It’s hard to see him through the tears. I whisper the only words I've said since he started, "Did you stop loving me?"
He smiles.
He throws the match.
I feel a moment of burn.
***
I wake up screaming, crying. Waking up makes things worse.
You see in real life I'm Opa.
Jimothy Scott
from Canada is reading The wise mans fearApril 3, 2013 - 4:23pm
Thanks dwayne but that feels more like a story in and of itself
Dwayne
from Cincinnati, Ohio (suburbs) is reading books that rotate to often to keep this updatedApril 3, 2013 - 4:50pm
Everyone else is accepting 10 minute videos of plants and animals, and you turn down a few hundred words? Sissy.
Jimothy Scott
from Canada is reading The wise mans fearApril 3, 2013 - 5:26pm
yup
R.Moon
from The City of Champions is reading The Last Thing He Wanted by Joan Didion; Story Structure Architect by Victoria Lynn Schimdt PH.D; Creating Characters by the editors of Writer's DigestApril 4, 2013 - 6:40pm
Write a story about a stuntman who is forced to retire because of an accident.
Jonathan Riley
from Memphis, Tennessee is reading Flashover by Gordon Highland April 4, 2013 - 6:43pm
Oh man. That's good Moon.
R.Moon
from The City of Champions is reading The Last Thing He Wanted by Joan Didion; Story Structure Architect by Victoria Lynn Schimdt PH.D; Creating Characters by the editors of Writer's DigestApril 4, 2013 - 6:44pm
Haha! Watched Death Proof recently. Still fresh in my mind.
Renfield
from Hell is reading 20th Century GhostsMay 14, 2013 - 9:30pm
This picture wants to be a story.
Jonathan Riley
from Memphis, Tennessee is reading Flashover by Gordon Highland May 14, 2013 - 10:47pm
And I want to write that story. I looked at it for two seconds and got an idea for a 750 word piece I'll submit for Shotgun Honey. I'll probably write it tomorrow night. Thanks for this Ren!!!!
Jonathan Riley
from Memphis, Tennessee is reading Flashover by Gordon Highland May 14, 2013 - 10:47pm
;)
jyh
from VA is reading whatever he feels likeMay 14, 2013 - 11:33pm
Covewriter
from Nashville, Tennessee is reading & SonsMay 15, 2013 - 8:21pm
I'll take a prompt. Seriously need some motivation. When we write our prompt stories do we post here or in workshop?
Renfield
from Hell is reading 20th Century GhostsMay 16, 2013 - 11:53pm
@Cove, if you haven't seen the movie RIDING IN CARS WITH BOYS, write a scene from that movie. If you've seen it, then write a scene from STANDING STILL WITH GIRLS.
Covewriter
from Nashville, Tennessee is reading & SonsMay 17, 2013 - 9:50am
I haven't seen it, so I'll do Riding in Cars with Boys. Thanks Renfield.
Renfield
from Hell is reading 20th Century GhostsJune 3, 2013 - 10:57pm
Prompt: Worst. Boner. Ever.
Stephen_Inf
from Illinois is reading Whiskey Tango FoxtrotJune 4, 2013 - 4:52pm
I could use a prompt to get me out of a rut. Lately I'm all characters and no plot. Someone prompt me.
Hard.
Please?
jyh
from VA is reading whatever he feels likeJune 4, 2013 - 6:25pm
@St_Inf --- Genre: Noir. Plot: Murder in the pool hall interrupted by customers. Title: Racked With Guilt
Stephen_Inf
from Illinois is reading Whiskey Tango FoxtrotJune 4, 2013 - 7:25pm
Awesome.
Renfield
from Hell is reading 20th Century GhostsJune 13, 2013 - 7:43am
Strange things are afoot at the Panera Bread.
jyh
from VA is reading whatever he feels likeJune 13, 2013 - 9:48am
Nah, they're just shooting an episode of Grimm.
Jonathan Riley
from Memphis, Tennessee is reading Flashover by Gordon Highland June 13, 2013 - 9:32pm
So I really love that last prompt that Renfield posted. I had a concept, but I forgot about it until I looked at this thread again tonight. I don't want to forget about it again so how about this. I challenge anyone to a flash Thunderdome battle 500-1000 words on the picture with Masked Shotgun Holder. A four day battle. Anyone game?
Also,
I so want that picture of the woman jumping in the bakery to be a THunderdome battle as well. Any two takers?
Come on people. THese prompts are gold.
Jonathan Riley
from Memphis, Tennessee is reading Flashover by Gordon Highland June 18, 2013 - 10:21am
Didn't Stephen Inf write Wracked with Guilt. If so, I really want to read it. Also, I can't tell if J.Y. was just being silly with the title making it sound like a cheesey 80's buddy flick but I actually love it.
Michael.Eric.Snyder
June 18, 2013 - 10:47am
That Panera prompt is so disturbing. Tell me it's photoshopped or something.
Renfield
from Hell is reading 20th Century GhostsJune 20, 2013 - 8:17am
Renfield
from Hell is reading 20th Century GhostsJune 20, 2013 - 7:18pm
Renfield
from Hell is reading 20th Century GhostsJune 26, 2013 - 8:33pm
pun prompt:
foundling feathers
jyh
from VA is reading whatever he feels likeJune 27, 2013 - 9:49am
I'm asking for prompts: non-fiction essay.
Hit me!
Jonathan Riley
from Memphis, Tennessee is reading Flashover by Gordon Highland June 27, 2013 - 9:56am
Write an essay on Devine Design vs. Random Chance in Pulp Fiction (the movie)
jyh
from VA is reading whatever he feels likeJune 27, 2013 - 10:19am
@JR --- Huh? Like, analyze whether what happens to the characters was planned or not?
Jonathan Riley
from Memphis, Tennessee is reading Flashover by Gordon Highland June 27, 2013 - 10:27am
Lol, I'm horrible at writing essays, and I attempted that essay in college course. Post Modern Film and Literature or something. The essay was bad. I made a C. DOn't write that one.
But yeah you know most of Vincent and Jewles scene's they are arguing rather or not it was a miracle that that dude didn't kill them. Then there are many other refrences in the film to rather or not things happen for a reason.
jyh
from VA is reading whatever he feels likeJune 27, 2013 - 10:40am
DOn't write that one.
Noted.
voodoo_em
from England is reading All the books by Ira LevinSeptember 13, 2013 - 9:11am
Anyone feel like throwing some random prompts out here?
Jonathan Riley
from Memphis, Tennessee is reading Flashover by Gordon Highland September 13, 2013 - 11:56am
Random Word Prompts:
1. Needle in a haystack
2. Sisters and blisters
3. The sun turned black
4. Alligators and airboats
5.My husband has a foot fetish
Michael.Eric.Snyder
September 13, 2013 - 12:14pm
Yeah, I just don't know what to say about the man in the red shorts. The complete lack of self consciousness makes it for me, as does the utter innocence of a bygone era. :)
Renfield
from Hell is reading 20th Century GhostsSeptember 18, 2013 - 9:18pm
Cool. Also, do we get to see the story when it's done? Or am I overthinking this and you just write a prompt when someone asks and that's the end of it?
Carly, when I wrote prompts for the thuderdome battles I couldn't wait to read the stories the writers produced. So I imagine you feel the same. I suppose you just voice your interest to the writer in seeing the finished project and noone will have a problem showing you a copy even if they choose not to workshop it.
Thanks. I would love to see the stories based on my prompts.
I need a prompt! 3,000 words, horror/psychotic/sociopathic literary fiction
Brad, if you want kinda psychotic, I used to go through these periods where every woman I'd meet I'd think they were my dead sister.
This is us, she being on the right:
Weird thing is I never had a sister.
^ Now that's an excellent prompt.
Thanks! I might just try to spin something off of that!
Don't know if this is in the spirit of the thread, but I kinda revamped a list of prompt Ideas I keep in Scrivener and thought a couple might be fun to share:
Movie Posters - Search for old posters for grindhouse type movies/foreign release posters, hopefully of movies you haven't seen, and write the stories for those movies. (here's a few I started looking through the other day)
Loglines - Go on to Netflix/DVR to any random tv show and read the episode description. Smuggle that plot through some literary filters.
Missing Gun - Read a crime story and rewrite it taking out the gun/crime/murder. Or read a literary story and put a gun in it, whatever.
Photo Album - Find really weird photos on the internet and imagine those exist in your family photo album, and your mother is telling the whole embarrassing backstory to your new girl/boyfriend, whose obviously going to leave you after hearing it.
Writer Forgery - Take some writer's character that you like and put them in the plot of a story by a different writer and write it in the style of another writer. Then say screw that and rewrite it with your character, and maybe your plot too, then definitely in your own style. (good for flash for the quick turnaround)
I'm trying to write my sci-fi for Teleport Us. I've had several ideas, (only one decent one) but after attempting to write them, I kept hitting a wall. I'd like a prompt. Nothing specefic with concepts, just maybe a few words or a quick phrase. Alot of times when I try to focus on general prompt I end up coming up with pretty good ideas. And some of the time those storries work better when I remove the prompt back out of it.
I haven't read the whole Teleport Us deal because I'm into other things right now, so not sure if this can even fit, Jonathan. However, I am fond of people giving birth to things besides human babies.
The story has to feature a non-human character. I might be able to wrap my head around that. We'll see if that gets the brain juices flowing. Thanks, Carly.
Wow, I forgot I even had a prompt in here.
This is actually something I'm revising: Write a story based on a song.
prompt me.
1500-2500 words
Prompt: Nightmares haunt me. Most times the dream is the same. Sometimes I'm Momma. Tonight, as most nights, I'm Junior.
***
"What will you do to save him?"
"Anything! Please just don't shoot him." She looks over at the shotgun he promised to teach me to hunt with. "Junior..." she begins turning towards me.
"Never call him that! Your bastard is not my son's name sake! I won't shoot him, but he watches."
She looks at him desperately, trying to do something. It seems important, but I don't know why. I think maybe she is trying to save herself, and me, and maybe even Opa. Opa is rough with her, hurts her. He cuts her and burns her and slaps her. It seems to go on forever. She strains at the ropes holding her on the kitchen table.
I look away; he reaches over and pulls my hair making me look at Momma, seeing all the places he has hurt her since she is naked except for her underwear.
"Look bastard. Look and see what a whore your Momma is."
"Please let him go, you said you would."
"I never said that," as he reaches for the lamp oil off the top shelf. "I said I won't shoot him, and I won't."
Momma starts to scream Opa hits her and reaches between her legs. His hand comes back with Momma's underwear, which he shoves into her mouth.
"Son for a son. Scale worshipers believe in balance, right?"
Momma is sobbing through her dirty underwear. I think she's wet herself too.
Opa covers me with oil. Slowly, making sure he gets every spot. I'm afraid; I pee myself a lot now more. He looks me dead in the eyes. It’s hard to see him through the tears. I whisper the only words I've said since he started, "Did you stop loving me?"
He smiles.
He throws the match.
I feel a moment of burn.
***
I wake up screaming, crying. Waking up makes things worse.
You see in real life I'm Opa.
Thanks dwayne but that feels more like a story in and of itself
Everyone else is accepting 10 minute videos of plants and animals, and you turn down a few hundred words? Sissy.
yup
Write a story about a stuntman who is forced to retire because of an accident.
Oh man. That's good Moon.
Haha! Watched Death Proof recently. Still fresh in my mind.
This picture wants to be a story.
And I want to write that story. I looked at it for two seconds and got an idea for a 750 word piece I'll submit for Shotgun Honey. I'll probably write it tomorrow night. Thanks for this Ren!!!!
;)
Looks sort of like one of those Turkish action movies from the 60's--70's.
I'll take a prompt. Seriously need some motivation. When we write our prompt stories do we post here or in workshop?
@Cove, if you haven't seen the movie RIDING IN CARS WITH BOYS, write a scene from that movie. If you've seen it, then write a scene from STANDING STILL WITH GIRLS.
I haven't seen it, so I'll do Riding in Cars with Boys. Thanks Renfield.
Prompt: Worst. Boner. Ever.
I could use a prompt to get me out of a rut. Lately I'm all characters and no plot. Someone prompt me.
Hard.
Please?
@St_Inf --- Genre: Noir. Plot: Murder in the pool hall interrupted by customers. Title: Racked With Guilt
Awesome.
Strange things are afoot at the Panera Bread.
Nah, they're just shooting an episode of Grimm.
So I really love that last prompt that Renfield posted. I had a concept, but I forgot about it until I looked at this thread again tonight. I don't want to forget about it again so how about this. I challenge anyone to a flash Thunderdome battle 500-1000 words on the picture with Masked Shotgun Holder. A four day battle. Anyone game?
Also,
I so want that picture of the woman jumping in the bakery to be a THunderdome battle as well. Any two takers?
Come on people. THese prompts are gold.
Didn't Stephen Inf write Wracked with Guilt. If so, I really want to read it. Also, I can't tell if J.Y. was just being silly with the title making it sound like a cheesey 80's buddy flick but I actually love it.
That Panera prompt is so disturbing. Tell me it's photoshopped or something.
This is bizarre.
pun prompt:
foundling feathers
I'm asking for prompts: non-fiction essay.
Hit me!
Write an essay on Devine Design vs. Random Chance in Pulp Fiction (the movie)
@JR --- Huh? Like, analyze whether what happens to the characters was planned or not?
Lol, I'm horrible at writing essays, and I attempted that essay in college course. Post Modern Film and Literature or something. The essay was bad. I made a C. DOn't write that one.
But yeah you know most of Vincent and Jewles scene's they are arguing rather or not it was a miracle that that dude didn't kill them. Then there are many other refrences in the film to rather or not things happen for a reason.
Noted.
Anyone feel like throwing some random prompts out here?
Random Word Prompts:
1. Needle in a haystack
2. Sisters and blisters
3. The sun turned black
4. Alligators and airboats
5.My husband has a foot fetish
Yeah, I just don't know what to say about the man in the red shorts. The complete lack of self consciousness makes it for me, as does the utter innocence of a bygone era. :)
http://mentalfloss.com/article/18692/he-took-polaroid-every-day-until-da...
@Ren ~ wow, thats amazing and beautiful and sad.